Royalmount Footbridge

Located at the heart of the Royalmount megaproject, at the intersection of Highways 15 and 40, the Royalmount pedestrian bridge is a key piece of infrastructure designed to enhance mobility and accessibility within the new mixed-use district.

Spanning more than 200 metres, the structure crosses the Décarie Expressway to provide a direct connection between De la Savane metro station and the Royalmount site.

Designed to promote active transportation and reduce reliance on cars, the bridge enables nearly 10 million pedestrians annually to cross the highway safely. The enclosed structure also ensures year-round user comfort, with interior spaces that are heated or cooled depending on the season.

Universal accessibility is provided through an entrance pavilion adjacent to the metro station, equipped with elevators and stairs. The bridge is part of a broader urban vision that also includes the creation of a public plaza at the gateway to the structure.

Key Features

• Over 200 metres in length, spanning the Décarie Expressway (Highway 15)
• Major steel and concrete structure supported by pavilions on both sides of the highway
• Design that promotes active transportation and direct access to the metro
• Climate-controlled interior environment for year-round comfort
• Universal accessibility, including facilities for persons with reduced mobility
• Development of a public plaza near De la Savane metro station

Technical Complexity
Constructing the Royalmount pedestrian bridge presented significant engineering and logistical challenges. The more than 200-metre steel and concrete structure had to be erected above the Décarie Expressway, one of Canada’s busiest transportation corridors. Careful planning was required to minimize disruptions to traffic while ensuring the safety of all operations.

The project also required close coordination among numerous stakeholders, particularly during the lifting operations and the temporary highway closures necessary to install the bridge sections.

Innovation and Construction Methods
To minimize disruptions to Highway 15 and streamline construction, the project relied on a modular prefabrication approach. The bridge’s five main sections were fabricated and assembled off-site before being transported to the project location. Once on site, they were precisely lifted into place and connected to form the final structure.

This method improved construction quality while significantly reducing the time required for work above the highway.

Advanced digital tools were also used throughout the project, including Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) methodologies. 3D modeling and virtual reality technologies helped coordinate architectural, structural, and mechanical systems early in the design phase, improving efficiency and reducing potential conflicts.

Challenges and Success Factors
The project’s structural complexity and the presence of undocumented underground infrastructure posed significant challenges. During excavation, previously unidentified municipal services were discovered, requiring design adjustments to accommodate the actual site conditions.

The project’s success was driven by a combination of rigorous logistical planning, modular prefabrication, and close collaboration with public authorities and project partners. The installation of the bridge modules, for example, required a partial overnight closure of Highway 15 to safely position the sections with precision.